SGT Eddie Jeffers "Hope Rides Alone" Died in Iraq Today

New Media Journal ^ | February 1, 2007 | SGT Eddie Jeffers

[debm29palms]

Did you think before you posted that?

My husband joined the Marine Corps because that was what he aspired to do his ENTIRE life. In fact, there is not one single thing on the face of this earth that he wanted to do BUT BE A MARINE. HE LOVED THE MARINE CORPS. Every single deployment he went on he believed in the cause. And he was in for 13 years. HE WAS IN THE GULF WAR. He was getting ready to re-enlist in country for the 4th time. He was committed to defending our country and our beliefs his entire life.

Before you speak, you should THINK. You do not speak for the ones that serve. YOU DON’T SPEAK FOR THE ONES THAT FELL. You don’t have that right.

[debm29palms]

Forgive me, I absolutely meant men and WOMEN. My Mother-in-Law, Don’s Mom, is a former Marine.

I am very sorry about that.

We certainly are graced by God to have very fine women as well!!

[LucyJo]

"We certainly are graced by God to have very fine women as well!!"

I was counting you, and all military wives, among those fine women. : )
There is not enough thanks to give for the sacrifices our military families make for all of us.

[rochester_veteran]

freema,

That was powerfull!!!

Thanks so much for putting that together!

[rochester_veteran]

Thanks for posting to the D&C Forum discussion on Eddie, I really do appreciate it!

[LucyJo]

Oh, you’re welcome. I was very happy to have the opportunity to do it.

[freema]

Alas, I can not take the credit, my aunt sent it to me.

The timing could not have been more appropriate.

My deep condolences and gratitude to the family.

[Recovering Ex-hippie]

A troll!! Aefields..Get out you slime ball!

A hero dies and you go on Freeper on 9/21/07....

go to you know where. Stay on your own site where you can write this smut!!

[Recovering Ex-hippie]

save your energy ..see my post 148...this guy is a troll.

How disgusting to come on and get people upset who have lost loved ones, or have someone serving. Maybe he is one of those idiots that goes to the funerals with sick signs!

[Marine_Uncle]

I continue to hold my hand out to vets and active duty military when I meet them in public. It is the least any American citizen can do.

[davidlachnicht]

aefields may not be a troll (but I am NOT defending his words; I condemn them as neither the time nor the place for that sentiment).
Find out more about Oregon's own aefields @ http://www.google.com/search?num=100&hl=en&safe=off&q=aefields&btnG=Search

[duck duck goose]

Your post brought me to tears. Thank you for your support of our Troops and for posting this.

[victim soul]

Thank You, American Hero, and thanks, Luv W, for this beautiful tribute. I hope his family gets this link.

[kcvl]

U.S. Army Sergeant Eddie Jeffers of Daleville is the latest casualty in Operation Iraqi Freedom. News 4 spoke with Sergeant Jeffers family and friends on Friday.

It’s a time of “terrible sadness”, but at the same time “immense pride” for Sergeant Eddie Jeffers family. On Tuesday, Tina Kelly learned that her 22-year-old son was killed in Iraq.

Sergeant Jeffers was a member of the First of the 503rd, based at Fort Carson, Colorado.

The family has been told that Eddie, along with members of his unit, were killed when their vehicle “overturned”.

Tina Kelly, Eddie’s mother said, “He joined the military to honor his grandfather, his father. He did what he needed to do and was proud of it. We are proud of him.”

Sergeant Jeffers married his high school sweetheart, Stephanie, two years ago. She along with other family are in the process of heading home to Daleville:

Ethel Spann, Eddie’s grandmother said, “I now am worried about two more grandchildren about to go over there. I hope it can be resolved so we can bring these boys and girls back home.”

Several of Sergeant Jeffers articles on his war experiences have been read by President Bush and members of Congress.

Daleville High School Teacher Gwen Trinker remembers the 2002 graduate as generous. “When they come into my class in uniform, I tell them that I’m proud that there willing to give their lives for me and their country. I’m proud of them.”

Sergeant Eddie Jeffers body will soon arrive in Dover, Delaware and be returned home to Daleville next week.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time.

[kcvl]

Tina Kelly holds a photo of her son Eddie Jeffers who was killed Wednesday in an accident while serving in Iraq.

"Ooooooooh what a ride" might have been what U.S. Army Sgt. Eddie Jeffers said on his way to Heaven on Wednesday, his 8-year-old sister Hannah Kelly told their mom, Tina Kelly.

"But my son doesn’t want to be remembered sadly. He would want us all to be smiling, to remember him skateboarding, working at Wendy’s, playing in his band ‘Fighting the Vanna White Influence," she said. "And that he liked beer and hated drinking girls. He loved his wife Stephanie (Reeves Jeffers). And he wanted children - he was going to try to go stateside as a recruiter after his tour was over in January. He was the oldest of six children, and had a stepsister."

"The Real Deal in Ramadi" was a book he had not completed. The first line read, "As requested by my father." Kelly said Jeffers’ father will finish writing the story for his son.

[kcvl]

He wrote an essay, “Hope Rides Alone,” backing the war in February for the conservative Free Republic web site that gained wide notice. He suggested that the American public was ungrateful.

http://tinyurl.com/25qmjk

[kcvl]

Jeffers’ MySpace page carries a message from his wife, Stephanie, apparently written just after she learned he had died: “Baby . . . always know that I love you, that you will always be my heart, that you will always be my soul. I still can’t believe this, please tell me it’s not true my love.”

Last month she had written this message for his MySpace page: “I miss you and love you sweetheart! Come home already!”

[red irish]

My heart is broken and the only consolation I can expect is for this young man to receive Jesus with open arms. My daughters boyfriend is over there on his second tour. This is very hard for her. He was here a month ago and they had three wonderful weeks together. I love them all so much as if they were my sons and daughters. God bless them and keep them close to his sacred heart.

[kcvl]

Eddie Rides With Jesus

In a dangerous, deadly, hostile land,
Rode a brave and courageous man.
He fought evil and despair,
Around every corner, everywhere.

He had ideals, dreams and goals,
Keeping his men alive and whole.
Sgt. Eddie loved his brave men,
And fought to get them home again.

He wrote from his heart so deep,
From his pain and made us weep,
For the truth he penned cut like a knife,
To the heart and soul of American life.

We suffer not as our soldiers die,
We go on our way and pass by,
The crippled veteran, the sad bride,
Whose husband bled and died.

Our soldiers give their blood, their life,
In an effort to end the horrible strife,
Should not we support and care for them,
As they fight to protect us from harm?

Let us change! Start something new!
Show our troops we love them too!!
Let’s get off our duffs, get busy now,
And show them we know when and how!

Send them cards, cookies and cheer,
Do it from our hearts and sincere.
Love them and let them know we care,
In every way, and all through the year!!

Sgt. Eddie has not died in vain,
His cause is ours, we will remain,
Faithful to the dreams he held so dear,
Freedom, freedom both far and near.

Sgt. Eddie has left the scene,
He rests with Jesus, so serene,
His duty done, in a distant land,
His hope has reached a peaceful end.

Eddie’s hope no longer rides alone,
He rides with Jesus, no more groans,
His head held high, feeling joy unbounded,
Through streets of gold with angels surrounded.

We miss you Eddie, wish you were here,
But we know God has called you up there.
Rest well Eddie, your mission is completed,
God’s love for you will never be depleted.

Father in Heaven, Please hold Eddie close to your heart,
Comfort him for us, even though we are apart.
Thanks for the years he lived with us too,
May his life bring great glory and honor to you.

We ask this in the Powerful Name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and by his shed blood, in the Power of the Holy Spirit, Amen and Amen

Cliff Jones September 19, 2007

http://tinyurl.com/37nudz

[DieHard the Hunter]

Say it ain’t so!